;void(0);)
A final gathering at the Peel (formerly the Sir Robert Peel) in Kingston.
Peeling back the years - @SatScenes 2014-05-26
A final farewell - Kingston
For several decades, now, the Peel (once the Sir Robert Peel) has been known throughout the country (and even, to some extent the world) as one of the prime live grass-roots London venues on a tour itinerary for proper working bands, as well as having rehearsal facilities in the basement. It was also, when bands were not playing, known at weekends as a local rock music spot, where Fridays and Saturdays often heaved.
For the last 5 years or so it has been in decline, and Saturday saw that experience relived just once more before the pub closed its doors for the last time, after being sold by its former owners to be redeveloped. It would be hypocritical to get too teary eyed, because I was as guilty as anyone else of abandoning the place, although the place faltered partly due to the recent economic difficulties and partly as a result of style and management changes. Too late to worry, now. It's demise was often rumoured, and then proven false. Not this time.
